Establishing a data base: the first step in effective management for day-treatment programs for children and adolescents.

A simple step-by-step plan for organizing and developing a computerized data base in a psychoeducational day-treatment program for children and adolescents is described. The plan is purposefully limited and simple in conception so that it can be replicated in freestanding and/or smaller programs, those who might not have the resources available when affiliated with a hospital or university. The article stresses the need for programs to make the commitment to begin a system of data collection. A table indicating measures and collection times is included.